Letter to the Editor: This is a recipe for personal, government bankruptcy

In 2003, my 15 acres of mountain land with improvements was assessed at $35,600 with a tax rate of .68 per $100 value. Total tax was $242.08.

In 2015, my 15 acres of mountain land with improvements was assessed at $117,000 with a proposed tax rate of .64 per $100 value. Total tax will be $748.80.

In 2003, my income was $29,120. In 2016, my income will be $14,328 in retirement.

During the period from 2003 to 2016, the general reassessment value of my real estate has increased 328 percent, the tax on my real estate has increased 309 percent, and my yearly salary has decreased 51 percent. Does anyone see anything wrong with this?

The policy of higher reassessments of real estate with higher real estate tax rates for a working private sector experiencing low stagnant wages or declining wages in retirement is a recipe for personal and government bankruptcy. All county employees not happy with the above-average wages with benefits they are currently receiving should seek employment in the private sector to enjoy stagnant wages and disappearing benefits.

My golden years will be golden as long as the local government is not allowed to steal my gold by way of excessive and oppressive taxation rates and high reassessments.